Pacers stun Cavs, hand LeBron James his first Round 1 loss since 2012

The Indiana Pacers pulled off the impossible Sunday. The team not only took a lead in the first round of the NBA playoffs with a surprising win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, but they also took down LeBron James.

That’s never easy, but it’s been particularly difficult in the first round of the playoffs. Since 2012, James has not lost a single game in the first round. The Pacers broke that streak Sunday, beating James and the Cavs 98-80.

Prior to Sunday’s loss, James’ teams had won 21 straight first-round games. The last time James lost in the first round came back in 2012, when the Miami Heat dropped Game 4 against the New York Knicks.

Since then, James has swept the Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Bobcats, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons and the Pacers. Indiana managed to get some revenge after failing to win a game against the Cavaliers in 2017.

Victor Oladipo was a huge thorn in the Cavs’ side, scoring 32 points. He shot 11-19 from the field, and hit six of nine three-point attempts. He also added six rebounds, four assists and four steals during the contest.

James led the Cavaliers with 24 points. He also put up 10 rebounds and 12 assists in the loss.

After the loss in Game 1, James and the Cavs will look to even the series during Game 2 on Wednesday.

LeBron James was handed his first Round 1 loss since 2012 to the Pacers. (AP Photo)